FIREFIGHTER THE MAGAZINE OF THE FIRE BRIGADES UNION | WWW.FBU.ORG.UK | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | CENTENARY EDITION

“THE PAST WE INHERIT THE FUTURE WE BUILD” SEE P10 GENERAL SECRETARY’S COMMENT MATT WRACK OUR UNION YOUR UNION

This October we formally JESS HURD mark 100 years since an independent trade union was created solely for firefighters. The Firemen’s Trade Union, as it was known then, was the first of its kind. Although a benefit society for firefighters had existed for many years, there was no specialist trade union to fight for better working conditions in fire brigades. Back then firefighters would live and work on stations as part of a continuous duty system where paid holidays, sick leave and pensions were non-existent. Although the strong bonds of community and comradeship kept people going, it was a brutal life where people felt powerless, trapped in the drudgery of dangerous, poorly paid work with no respite. A union was sorely needed. Matt Wrack (clenched fist, centre) on the FBU’s new appliance at the Notting Hill Carnival Fast forward a century and your union – the much more appropriately named or not, have had a trade represent members by organisation against the odds. Fire Brigades Union – is union fighting for a safer drowning us in bureaucracy They had to campaign, still fighting for you. world on their behalf. through the draconian fight and make sacrifices to Over the last 10 decades A strong, vibrant, Trade Union Act. build it. At times, many were our union has won battles for independent trade union for Our centenary offers us victimised for their stand. improved pay, entitlement to firefighters and emergency the chance to look back, take They also had to think paid holiday and sick leave as control staff is more stock and move forward. To carefully about, and well as access to pensions. needed today than ever. continue fighting with vigour debate, the challenges they We have paved the way for But our future is not for fair pay and conditions faced at various times. improvements to protective guaranteed. For the past and for full and proper We owe it to those still personal equipment, decade we have been in funding for the professional, to come into the service to training and procedures to a fight for our life. world famous fire and rescue continue that work – to think, ensure that firefighters can Never in our history has service we are all so proud of. debate, organise and struggle work safely at incidents. a government carried out If it seems like an – in the decades ahead so that Our union has success- such a sustained assault on difficult task with this it is a case of “the past we fully campaigned for better the fire and rescue service Tory government in inherit, the future we build”. public safety. The fact as the Tory-led governments power, remember that The fundamental strength there are fewer fires and have since 2010. the history of the FBU of the Fire Brigades Union fatalities today than 100 They are responsible provides extensive stories has and always will be years ago is no accident. for axing 12,000 frontline of struggle and heroism. you – the members. It is because the public, firefighter jobs and have It is the story of men This is your union; never whether they know it made it harder for us to and women who built an let anyone tell you otherwise.

2 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 7 CONTENTS 5

The FBU stall at this year’s TUC stood out from OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 the crowd with its centenary branding. One of its celebrity visitors took the shape of evil husband Simon Foster from BBC1’s Dr Foster – otherwise NEWS REGULARS known as actors’ Equity union member Bertie Carvel 4 FBU members’ Grenfell 5 Sounding off inquiry evidence Burma military must not 5 Police commissioner drops get away with genocide fire takeover bid 7 News focus FBU Red Plaque scheme FBU at the Trades gathers momentum Union Congress 6 Pay 8 Aerial ladder platform FEATURES Number of grass fires more than doubles 10 FBU centenary Gearing up for 17 Legal Beagle an unforgettable Asbestos has ceremony not gone away 12 Green peace 20 Noticeboard Union members New book explain the records 30 years benefits of gardens of FBU history in members’ own words 14 The Kings Cross fire 21 Station Cat Lessons were identified Appliances going cheap but not implemented 22 25-year badges 16 Firefighters 100 Lottery 24 FBU centenary

FIREFIGHTER Published by the Fire Brigades Union Bradley House, 68 Coombe Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 7AE www.fbu.org.uk

Firefighter production team: William Murphy, Anna Zych, Lisa Irving and Alan Slingsby Print: Southernprint Ltd, 17–21 Factory Road, Poole, BH16 5SN 10

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 3 CARNIVAL JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK TUC First outing for the The FBU at the FBU’s new appliance 150th Trades Union is the Notting Hill Congress p7 NEWS Carnival p6 GUY SMALLMAN

Firefighters join relatives and the local community to demand justice for the dead and survivors of Grenfell Tower at one of the silent walks on the monthly anniversary of the disaster FIREFIGHTERS’ EVIDENCE IS ‘HONEST AND CANDID’ GRENFELL Fire Brigades Union general secretary Stage two, not expected to begin Matt Wrack says it is clear that members until next year, will look at events and If you want to see what solidarity looks are taking part in the best possible faith. decisions leading up to the fire. like in action, look no further than the “This needs to be a thorough investi- The FBU has said Grenfell was a reaction of the firefighting community gation and our members who have death trap long before the night the fire to the questioning of watch manager been giving evidence have come across broke out and that the inquiry should Michael Dowden at the Grenfell extremely honestly and candidly in what look at events chronologically. Tower inquiry. they have said. In order to make that point, the FBU The first FBU member to give “It is heart wrenching to see people launched the Background to an Atrocity evidence to the inquiry, Michael having to relive what is probably the report, available on the FBU’s website. Dowden was questioned for three worst night of their lives. It provides an exhaustive history of 30 long and difficult days. It led to a swell “Every firefighter who responded was years of failed government policy that of support on social media where in an utterly impossible position dealing culminated in the Grenfell Tower fire. the hashtag #IAmMichaelDowden with a fire that had not been planned for Whether it was the FBU’s 1999 began trending. at all in the UK.” warning about fatal flammable cladding Similarly, all firefighters and The FBU has at times been critical of fires or how fire and rescue services’ emergency control operators who have the inquiry. It said the line of questioning ability to ensure building owners so far given evidence to the inquiry have put to Dowden was “absurd” and has complied with fire safety laws was been greeted by a show of support. said the inquiry is the wrong way round. watered down; it is clear that Grenfell Each day, as firefighters and emergency Stage one, the current stage, of the was an atrocity decades in the making. control operators give evidence, FBU inquiry will investigate what happened ■■Background to an Atrocity can be found officials are on hand to help. on the night itself. at: bit.ly/FBU-BtaA

4 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 SOUNDING OFF PCC DROPS BID TO TAKE The Burmese military must not be allowed to get away with genocide, says Anna OVER FIRE SERVICE Roberts, executive director of Burma Campaign UK HERTFORDSHIRE small fortune,” he said, “it has severely delayed the introduction of the county’s The FBU has welcomed Hertfordshire integrated risk management plan, an GENOCIDE police and crime commissioner David essential part of the strategy to keep Lloyd’s withdrawal of his application to people safe.” IN BURMA take over the local fire and rescue service. The FBU says police and crime Just over a year ago, the Burmese The “business case” for the takeover commissioners (PCCs) are a threat to military launched a horrific offensive included closing both police and fire the independence of the fire service and against ethnic Rohingya civilians. stations, causing uproar among local to firefighters’ terms and conditions, Using the pretext of attacks on people. The aborted scheme cost including pay and role maps. police stations by an armed group, taxpayers £100,000, including fees to At the time of writing, five PCCs have the genocidal attacks forced over the consultancy KPMG for writing been allowed to take over fire services 700,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. the proposal. in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Staffordshire, Thousands of women and girls The FBU’s executive council member West Mercia and Northamptonshire. suffered rape and sexual violence. for Eastern England, Brian Hooper, said More takeovers are being considered, Thousands were killed. voters would be “flabbergasted”. with Lancashire, North Yorkshire and Eyewitnesses saw babies and “Not only has this futile bid cost a Norfolk under threat. children snatched from their parents’ arms and thrown into burning homes or drowned in rivers. Families were FBU MEMORIAL SCHEME burned alive in their homes and villagers were lined up GATHERS MOMENTUM and shot. While the scale RED PLAQUES and intensity of attacks against the The FBU’s Red Plaque scheme is Rohingya may be different, going from strength to strength as the same tactics have been used by the more memorials to fallen firefighters army against Burma’s other ethnic are unveiled. groups for many years. In EDINBURGH, Ewan Williamson, A UN report said that Burma must who was killed tackling a fire in 2009, be investigated for genocide against is remembered at the site of the now the Rohingya and crimes against renamed Balmoral Bar. humanity and war crimes against His mother and sister joined local civilians in Kachin and Shan states. firefighters and FBU officials to unveil It is shocking that the international the plaque. response has been so weak. There At Peterlee fire station in DURHAM, have been many words of condem- a Red Plaque commemorates two nation but little practical action to young firefighters, John Donley and put pressure on the military and Tony Hall, who died when their fire government in Burma. We need to see appliance overturned on the way to a those words turned into action. fire in 1982. They were aged just 26 and Solomon Belinsky With the support of the FBU, 24 respectively. Burma Campaign UK has been Forgotten hero Solomon Belinsky was bit.ly/FBU-YT-national working hard to mobilise pressure. We a firefighter during the blitz and was part A ceremony on 28 October will are briefing and appearing in media, of a team trying to save LEEDS’ historic see the next Red Plaque revealed on lobbying governments, briefing MPs museum after it was hit in a raid. He LEICESTER’s Atrium Building in and building pressure on the British was injured by a bomb and died from his memory of Robert Miller, who died government to act. injuries 17 days later. A Red Plaque now there in 2002. We are campaigning for those hangs in The Old Fire Station in Gipton, In sadder news, the first ever Red responsible for these crimes to face now a community hub. Plaque, in memory of firefighters Billy justice at the International Criminal Big crowds turned out to the Faust and Adam Meere, in Bethnal Court, for a global arms embargo and unveiling of a Red Plaque honouring Green, East London, was vandalised for sanctions targeting the military. all NORTHERN IRELAND recently. The FBU has reported the ■■To take action, visit firefighters who have died in the line incident to police and is working burmacampaign.org.uk of duty. A video of the event is at on repairs.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 5 NEWS JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

The new and fully refitted FBU fire appliance made its debut at the Notting Hill Carnival in London where DJs gave their time for free and drew an impressive crowd FIREFIGHTER CEREMONY HONOURS LONG-SERVING FBU MEMBERS LONDON the FBU award by general FBU officials said: “It was secretary Matt Wrack. a pleasure to recognise so PAY UPDATE The London region of At the ceremony, Wrack many of our members at such Firefighters will receive a the FBU held a special spoke passionately about a prestigious location. 2% uplift in pay, backdated 25-year award ceremony for how the union could only “It was appropriate for to July after a consultation long-serving members in the function with the continued the event to take place on the with members. capital’s City Hall. support and participation anniversary of the start of the Fire service employers Members and family of members. blitz. It made the event even had proposed earlier this year members were invited to City London EC member more poignant. that pay (including continued Hall, where the Mayor of Paul Embery noted that 7 “The whole ethos of professional development) London is based, to watch September – when the event the FBU and its future sits should be “uplifted by 2% The Firefighters’ Story film took place – was the first night squarely on the bedrock that from 1 July 2018 while before being presented with of the London blitz in 1940. is the membership.” negotiations continue to put THE MONKEY SHARK in place a longer-term deal”. The FBU made clear that the 2% was a derisory offer and is campaigning for a better, improved pay rate for firefighters and emergency control operators. A consultation with FBU members took place over the summer with the general conclusion that it is better for the 2% to be in member’s pockets rather than not. Matt Wrack with long-serving FBU members at London’s County Hall

6 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 NEWS FOCUS/TUC JOHN HARRIS/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

The FBU delegation at the TUC: (l-r, back row) Samantha Rye, Dave Green, Matt Lamb and Paul Embery (l-r front row) Ian Murray, Matt Wrack and Andy Noble GRENFELL TOWER DISASTER A CRIMINAL INCIDENT, WRACK TELLS TUC DELEGATES Every aspect of fire safety in Grenfell “There was no wet riser main, despite COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Tower had failed long before 14 June the building being close to 70 metres FBU president Ian Murray called for 2017, FBU general secretary Matt Wrack high – only a dry riser. more “common pay co-ordination” told delegates at the 150th Trades Union “But, above all else, Grenfell between trade unions to destroy the Congress in Manchester. Tower was clad from top to bottom government’s pay cap once and for all. Supporting the FBU’s motion on the with materials that had the same He spoke of the benefits of collective disaster, Wrack said: “We’ve learned sort of flammability as petrol. It is a bargaining structures that ensure parity that the refurbishment work carried out a criminal incident.” between workers. “Firefighters often few years before the fire was a complete work across borders with firefighters disaster from a fire safety perspective. WILDFIRES from different fire and rescue services,” “It is staggering that Grenfell Tower After wildfires had ravaged huge swathes he said. “It makes no sense for their pay was safer before it was refurbished than of the country during the heatwave, FBU and conditions to vary between their after; that it was safer in 1974 than it was vice president Andy Noble proposed a services. We think the same is true in in 2017. motion calling for national structures every sector. We will fight to maintain “Every fire safety measure in that to be created so that extreme weather the right to bargaining collectively.” building had already failed before the events, which are becoming more fire. Compartmentation failed, because common, could be better planned for. CELEBRITY VISITOR the new windows were badly fitted and Noble told delegates: “Our members The FBU stall stood out from the crowd sat outside the building and were made worked 17 to 18 hour shifts, sometimes with its centenary branding and had of flammable material. without breaks, to bring these fires a celebrity visitor in the shape of evil “The fire doors did not give even half under control. husband Simon Foster from BBC1’s Dr an hour’s protection and many do not “I can assure you this type of fire isn’t Foster, otherwise known as Equity union seem to have been self-closing. The lifts the most exciting type of incident that member Bertie Carvel. The charming could not be overridden by firefighters. firefighters deal with, chasing a grass actor spoke about his admiration The ventilation system did not disperse or heathland fire, fanned by 15 or 20 for the work of “firemen”. He was smoke, as it was supposed to do. mile per hour winds across an exposed quickly helped with his terminology by “The single stairwell was barely a Pennine hilltop isn’t most firefighter’s FBU delegate and national women’s metre wide – and less with the handrail. idea of a day out in the country.” committee secretary Sam Rye.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 7 AERIAL LADDER PLATFORM

CLIMATE BREAKDOWN This summer was the hottest on record for England with 35.3C recorded in Faversham, Kent. Glasgow and Belfast experienced all-time temperature highs of 31.9C and 29.5C respectively and Porthmadog in Wales hit 33C on 28 June. London firefighters were called out to 1,969 grass fires during the heatwave. Call-outs recorded as grassland, woodland and crops more than doubled compared to the same period last year. London Fire Brigade tackled the largest ever grass fire in its history at Wanstead flats which engulfed 100 acres, and took 220 firefighters to put out. In the North of England, hot and dry conditions fanned the flames of “unprecedented” wildfires across Saddleworth Moor and Winter Hill. Firefighters were “pushed to the limit”, working in shifts around the clock. Prof Simon Lewis, a researcher at the University of Leeds and University College London said that the UK heatwave was a harbinger of the country’s future under climate change. “Climate change is a greater threat to the UK than EU directives, terrorism or a foreign power invading. Instead of this blinkered view where the future is the same as the past, we need to step out of the intense heat and take a cool look at what we are doing to our home planet,” he said.

8 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 Firefighters at a wildfire on Saddleworth Moor that was declared a major incident by Greater Manchester Police DANNY LAWSON/PA IMAGES

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 9 FBU CENTENARY

100 YEARS IN THE MAKING An unforgettable ceremony at Southwark cathedral in London will be one of the high points in the year-long celebrations of the FBU’s centenary

ON 13 OCTOBER, Southwark that it survives in its current form – one of the key points of the Cathedral in central London centenary celebrations. will be packed as a key event The union executive started to look at how the union would in the Fire Brigades Union’s mark its centenary two years ago. Different options were on the centenary year gets under way. table. “We could have taken the decision to issue a one-off publi- It will be a powerful and cation and move on with not too much fuss,” says FBU general poignant service, marking 100 secretary Matt Wrack. years of a small, punchy indus- “But we took the decision to really make a mark of it. First, trially focused union that has because it is a huge achievement and we should recognise all our won major victories for its members, heavily influenced the work members and officials who came before us and played their part. of the fire service and, through its campaigning work, immeas- urably improved public safety. STRATEGIC VIEW Remarkably, it has managed to do this at a time when other, “But also we took a long-sighted, strategic view. If we are to bigger, unions have been forced to merge into colossal general survive as an independent union for another 100 years, we need unions representing workers in an array of industries. to know our history, engage a new layer of activists and to shout As a union, the FBU evokes Gloria Gaynor’s memorable hit about our achievements.” I Will Survive. Successive generations of members have ensured So, throughout 2018, the union has been unveiling a mass of

10 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 Clockwise from top left: TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady at the FBU’s mobile exhibition unit (Stefano Cagnoni); North Kensington firefighters present a cheque for £5,000 from the Firefighters 100 Lottery to the Kids on the Green charity, a calm space project set up in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster (Mark Thomas); The FBU’s mobile exhibition at the union’s conference in Brighton (Stefano Cagnoni); At the unveiling of the first Red Plaque in Bethnal Green, London, that honours firefighters Billy Faust and Adam Meere FBU general secretary Matt Wrack (right) with Billy’s father Dave Faust and his daughter (Stefano Cagnoni); Publicity poster for the FBU’s film The Firefighters’ Story; Ewan Williamson’s sister Rebecca and mother Linda at the unveiling of the Red Plaque marking his loss in Edinburgh (Douglas Robertson); Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at the FBU’s mobile exhibition (Stefano Cagnoni); Firefighters at the unveiling of the Red Plaque for Jack Fourt-Wells and Richard Stocking who died in the 1958 Smithfield Market fire in London (Mark Thomas); Historian Harry Welsh of Queen’s University, Belfast, at a seminar exploring aspects of the FBU’s history (Stefano Cagnoni); Premier of the FBU film The Firefighters’ Story in Bristol (Paul Box); ROOT members (l-r) Dave Limer, Andy Hull and Olly Holford at an FBU history seminar (Stefano Cagnoni) 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING

centenary material. A website charting its history was launched The FBU wants to involve as many members as possible (www.fbu.org.uk/centenary), a documentary The Firefighters’ and is encouraging people to come to London for the day to Story has been showing at events across the country and two take part in the centenary events. The Folly bar in the City will books will be published, the first of which, Fighting Fire, is be dressed in FBU branding and show the ceremony live on now available to buy on the FBU shop (shop.fbu.org.uk). The a big screen. Bar sales will go to the good causes fund of the Southwark Cathedral event will be the icing on the cake. Firefighters 100 Lottery. The day will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony involving every brigade in the UK at the National Firefighters’ Memorial LIVE STREAM OF CEREMONY opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then firefighters will march Unable to make it to London? Don’t worry. The FBU has solemnly across the Millennium Bridge to Southwark Cathedral teamed up with the Daily Mirror to have the full ceremony for the main ceremony. streamed live on its website, so you can watch it all from home. The Southwark ceremony will celebrate If you know a few people who would be the men and women who shape the modern interested, why not arrange a group viewing day fire and rescue service. The audience somewhere local? will be taken on an emotional journey as the JOIN IN The ceremony has been a long time in ceremony honours. in particular, those who ■■ To watch the livestream of the the making – some would say 100 years – have made the ultimate sacrifice during the Southwark Cathedral event on 13 and none of it would have been possible FBU’s 100 year history. October visit www.mirror.co.uk/fbu without the help of People Creative, a live A reception will then celebrate the ■■ The Folly can be found at experience agency that has donated a vast union’s proud past and the forward-looking 41 Gracechurch Street, London amount of free time to ensure the union work of today’s members. EC3V 0BT gets a celebration it can be proud of.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 11 LOTTERY

quiet contemplation, a therapeutic oasis, an area for mindfulness, used by all the firefighters for moments of quiet reflection. Terry says that the garden breaks down barriers and he “has had conversations there that he would never have had within the four walls of the station”. What has taken place at Beckenham is not new; the healing power of plants has a long history. The use of horticulture in mental health treatment dates at least as far back as 2000 BC. In ancient Mesopotamia, the Persians created gardens to soothe the senses, involving beauty, fragrance, flowing water, and cool temperatures. SOWING THE Ancient Egyptian physicians prescribed garden walks for patients with mental illness. During the middle ages, the grounds of monastery hospitals contained plants whose sole purpose was SEEDS OF to cheer up the melancholy. These ancient beliefs are now being backed up by modern research, giving proven results for patients with depression and other mental illnesses. The benefits appear to spring from a combination of BETTER MENTAL physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work. The therapeutic properties of a garden increase with a combination of food- producing, scented, and flowering plants HEALTH to nourish all the senses. Firefighters are joining others in high stress A comfortable seat enables visitors to bask in the garden while resting from occupations to discover and use the benefits of their labours. Letting the body get a little hot and sweaty may also have hidden gardens and gardening. David Wibberley reports benefits – elevated body temperatures

ollowing the deaths last year of firefighters Danny Haxton and Mark Hilder, both stationed at Beckenham fire station in South London, the Firefighters 100 Firefighter Simon Lottery helped to fund a memorial Jakeman (left) won garden. Terry Leigh, the FBU a silver medal at borough rep, said that “it was a this year’s Hampton very hard and difficult time for the fire- Court Palace Flower Ffighters at Beckenham”. Show for his FBU It was crucial, he said, “to try Centenary Mess and find a way to help the collective Garden, created to grieving process”. celebrate the union’s Ideas were floated around the station 100th anniversary and it was decided to build the memorial in 2018. Fire dog garden on the theme of red, white, blue Sherlock and handler and green, set around a water feature. Paul Osborne joined Terry says that it was important him in the garden that the firefighters did all the work themselves, from planning, through planting to ongoing daily maintenance. Terry believes that having this focal point of remembrance and reflection has certainly helped with the healing process at Beckenham. The plot has become more than a remembrance garden, it is a place for

12 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 brick wall. You guessed it: the nature- view group healed significantly faster, needed less pain medication, and had fewer complications. Humans are instinctively drawn to

JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK connect with other living, growing things; we want to feel part of the web of life. We can feel something happening when we walk in the woods, or sit quietly on a mossy knoll, and these feelings also take place when we are actively involved in supporting life and growth – gardening. Military charities including Help for Heroes and Combat Stress recognise this affilia- tion with the natural world and have programmes involving horticulture. Both organisations believe that this engagement with nature plays are correlated with increased feelings of an important role in the treatment well-being and soil contains chemicals of post traumatic stress disorder. that are natural anti-depressants too. Jolandi du Preez, lead occupa- Firefighters from Brixton fire station, tional therapist at Combat Stress not far from Beckenham, recently says that horticultural therapy showcased their roof-top garden on for veterans “offers opportunities BBC’s Gardeners’ World. They backed Above: At the opening of the to be away from stress-inducing factors, up Beckenham firefighters’ accounts of Beckenham garden (top) either physically or psychologically, the benefits of a garden for their mental Right: Brixton’s rooftop garden helping to calm the body and mind when wellbeing and agree that it is making a intrusive thoughts are troublesome and positive difference to life on station. offers opportunities for mindfulness”. The Fire Brigades Union is seeking MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE SURROUND to support members and help them get No one is 100% sure how gardening involved with gardens of their own. helps with improved mental health. Dave Shek, regional secretary of the All we know is that it does. When we OURSELVES WITH FBU in London, is urging fire stations surround ourselves with growing plants, to apply for grants from the Firefighters we’re getting more than “a nice view”. GROWING PLANTS, THAT 100 Lottery for gardens of their own. That sensory experience stirs mysterious Successful grants will be awarded to the regenerative processes deep in our bodies EXPERIENCE STIRS value of £100, £500 or £1,000, depending and minds. on the scheme. There is a much-reported case of two To paraphrase the famous psychoana- groups of patients recovering from gall REGENERATIVE PROCESSES lyst Sigmund Freud: “Flowers are restful bladder surgery in Pennsylvania: one to look at. They have neither emotions group looked out of their windows at nor conflicts. But they are so important in green trees, while the other had only a www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk the healing process of those that do.”

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 13 FBU CENTENARY MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY PICTURE EVANS MARY IT TAKES A MAJOR TRAGEDY Kings Cross and Grenfell Tower are five miles and 30 years apart, but the lessons are the same and must be learnt, writes Helen Hague

ON 18 NOVEMBER 1987, escalator, pre-heating the rest of the wooden staircase before it at around 19.25, a match was burst into flames. dropped through a gap on the Station officer Townsley was found on the concourse, Piccadilly Line escalator at alongside the body of a badly burned woman he was trying to Kings Cross station. Still alight, save. He was posthumously honoured for his bravery. Both lay it hit grease and litter gathered near the stairs leading to St Pancras Road, where fire crews out of sight below the wooden were gathering, awaiting breathing apparatus and instructions. stairs, igniting a fire that killed Sian Griffiths, one of 150 firefighters mobilised that night, 31 people and seriously injured was preparing to go down these stairs to assist crews on many more. the concourse. She noticed crew members trying to resusci- A public inquiry chaired tate a man in a firefighter’s tunic who they had just carried by Desmond Fennell QC reported within a year, pinpointing above ground. the cause of the blaze and making 157 recommendations. “It was incredibly shocking, and as I walked past to descend These led to some much-needed changes that would make the stairs, into what appeared to be a living hell, I recognised the London Underground safer, including banning smoking the casualty as station officer Townsley”, Sian recalls. throughout stations and replacing escalators containing wood. Amid the chaos and struggle to save lives, there was The first “escalator alight” call to fire control came at 19.36. particular grief for a fallen colleague on the fire ground that Red Watch from Soho, led by station officer Colin Townsley, night. And let’s remember that post traumatic stress disorder were first to arrive at 19.42. Within minutes of their arrival, a (PTSD) was little understood back then, let alone talked about. fireball, fuelled by greasy rubbish, erupted from the wooden stairwell. Flames raced up concourse walls to the ceiling. The TRULY AWFUL ticket hall clock stopped at 7.45pm – the moment flames cut Sian, who had been in the job less than three years, descended through the wiring. into “thick smoke, no visibility, screaming and shouting, Thick black smoke soon filled tunnels and obscured exits. increases in temperature as trains went through the tunnels and Molten plastic dripped from ceilings. Concrete cracked. Tiles bodies all over the place. It was truly awful.” fell from walls. And many people died from suffocation. She was later tasked with collecting and removing bodies to So how could it happen? The inquiry called many expert the street where they were officially pronounced dead. Now witnesses and commissioned many tests. It concluded that retired, the former watch manager, FBU activist, Queen’s Fire flames heated the framework and decking of the Piccadilly line Service Medal holder and doughty campaigner for women’s rights, says that constant vigilance is needed to defend safety

14 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 LONDON FIRE BRIGADE

The funeral of station officer Colin Townley

Firefighters at the staircase entrance to Kings Cross station

standards. The notion that we can now “afford to close sad that, so many years on, some of the operational issues stations, cut jobs and rest on our laurels” is not only wrong- identified by the public inquiry, such as poor communications, headed but also disrespectful to the memory of all who have are still problems today.” died in catastrophic incidents, she says. Embery says the public again witnessed the “extraordinary She cites words from Desmond Fennell QC in the constant courage and professionalism of firefighters” at another major battle to maintain standards more than 30 years on. He said: catastrophe in the capital, when Grenfell Tower burned so “The message is that nobody responsible for safety can be shockingly fast last year. “Politicians and the media always say complacent that all potential hazards have been identified or ‘Never again’ after such tragedies. This time, they must mean that the cumulative effect of individually unlikely events can be it. The British public deserve a properly funded fire and rescue predicted, let alone ignored.” service, with a robust fire safety regulatory regime, which Before 1987, frontline firefighters had long complained of protects them adequately and limits the chances of disasters the inadequacies of personal protective equipment. So the such as Kings Cross and Grenfell Tower ever happening again.” Fennell inquiry’s call for a review was welcomed. At the FBU conference the following year, there were stories of PVC gloves CONSTANT VIGILANCE melting and leggings being so shoddily made that they fell Kings Cross/St Pancras International has long shed its grimy apart as firefighters attempted to rescue those caught in the run-down late-eighties feel – reborn as a slick transport hub, King’s Cross fire. complete with up-market shops and bars. Teams of cleaners now Paul Embery, FBU executive council member for London, ensure dropped debris – from chip packets to mini bottles of says that the King’s Cross disaster champagne – don’t hang around for long. “still resonates” around the fire and Talk about culture change – though fear rescue service. of terrorist attacks has helped drive the “It was a pivotal incident, and yet NOBODY war against randomly dropped rubbish. another example of how it takes a major But as Desmond Fennell and Sian tragedy to secure significant improve- Griffiths argue, it is constant vigilance ments in public and firefighter safety. RESPONSIBLE FOR and combatting complacency that “We lost one of our members – Colin stand the best chance of keeping the Townsley. Like many firefighters before SAFETY CAN BE public safe from fire hazards. And, of him, and since, he made the ultimate course, as Sian has made clear, keeping sacrifice – risking his own life to save properly crewed fire stations open someone he had never even met. It’s COMPLACENT all hours. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 15 A MOTHER’S PRIDE Linda Williamson unveiled an FBU Red Plaque in July in honour of her fallen firefighter son Ewan. The Red Plaque Scheme is a fitting tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty, brings comfort to loved ones and ensures their sacrifice is never forgotten. With your help, the FBU can establish more memorials. Buying Firefighters 100 Lottery tickets helps to fund important projects like this. HELP US REMEMBER OUR FALLEN COMRADES

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE: WWW.FIREFIGHTERS100LOTTERY.CO.UK Always play responsibly, if you need to talk to someone about your gambling please contact www.gambleaware.co.uk. Firefighters 100 Lottery is promoted by Fire Brigades Union, a Society Lottery licensed by the Gambling Commission. Gambling Commission Registration No: 000-046564-R-324800-002 © 2017 Gatherwell Ltd an External Lottery Manager (ELM) LEGAL BEAGLE ✆ FBU FREEPHONE LEGAL ADVICE LEGAL BEAGLE 0808 100 6061 IN SCOTLAND ASBESTOS IS 0800 089 1331 WWW.THOMPSONSTRADEUNION.LAW/ STILL A THREAT TRADE-UNIONS/FBU

sbestos is the greatest including meso­thelioma, SATOSHI KAMBAYASHI single cause of pleural thickening, lung work-related deaths in cancer and asbestosis. Athe UK. Union members have Employers and access to our legal expertise. insurance companies Our specialists are experts want to hide their track in their field, experienced record of exposing at working to protect and workers – and those assist members who have around them – in history been affected by asbestos- books. But Thompsons related illnesses. Solicitors knows that, Our #PastButPresent for thousands of campaign aims to give a families, forgetting voice to sufferers, their about asbestos is not families, communities and an option. industries that continue to Asbestos-related be affected by asbestos- illness is not a thing of related diseases, ensuring the past. The number that their stories from the of people who will past remain to the fore in be victims has not yet the present. reached its peak. If you or a loved Not everyone who one think you may be has been exposed to suffering as a result asbestos will become ill, of previous asbestos but it is important that exposure, our experts all members are aware can help you. They of the dangers posed by can provide legal asbestos and what to do guidance and point you if they are worried about to support services and any potential exposure. medical professionals. To learn more about WHAT IS ASBESTOS? our #PastButPresent Asbestos, a natural fibre campaign, go to with fire-retardant and bit.ly/Thompsons-APBP heat insulating qualities, was commonly used in STANDING WITH UNIONS construction until the 1980s. For almost 100 years, Links between asbestos Thompsons Solicitors has exposure and ill health were providing personal protective means that not all members stood shoulder to shoulder known in the early 1900s and equipment (PPE) as exposure who have been exposed will with the trade union confirmed without doubt can still occur. develop a condition. movement, working with from the 1960s. Members who have been If you know you have unions for improved workers’ But the use of asbestos in working for many years, been exposed, concerns rights and campaigning for the UK was not completely including retired members, about developing an asbestos- justice and equality. banned until the late 1990s. It will not always have had related condition can be In recognition of the 150th is easily reduced to a powder access to the right equipment significant and prolonged anniversary of the TUC, and can become airborne to minimise the risk over years. Thompsons Solicitors is – making it a particular of exposure. celebrating its commitment hazard to anyone inhaling its People who are going to SUPPORT AND ADVICE to the trade union movement microscopic fibres. develop an asbestos disease Thompsons Solicitors ran and the value and signifi- normally begin to develop the first successful asbestos cance that trade unions have HAVE I BEEN EXPOSED? the symptoms a long time disease case in the UK and had in the past and continue In buildings where asbestos after exposure – somewhere have unrivalled experience of to have today. may still be present, between 10 to 50 years. representing people suffering ■■ To find out more, go to your employer should be But the nature of the fibres from asbestos-related illnesses, bit.ly/Thompsons-SWU

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 17 KINKY BOOTS

Steve Pateman with Cyndi Lauper

“I was like Bambi on stilts. Being 6'2" didn’t help much either.” Steve’s story was featured nearly 20 years ago in the BBC fly-on-the-wall YOU CAN’T documentary series Trouble At The Top, which focussed on struggling companies and unusual business ventures. The episode was deemed to be so good that it was promoted to the opening slot of the series, bumping down the original opener that focussed on the launch of the Russian version of Vogue magazine. PUT A LABEL The story was adapted in 2005 into the comedy-drama film Kinky Boots, directed by Julian Jarrold and written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. DRAG QUEEN The film featured Chiwetel Ejiofor, of 12 ON ANYBODY Years A Slave fame, as drag queen Lola, who teams up with factory owner Charlie Everyone has a story to tell, but few can be as fascinating Price, based on Steve and played by as that of firefighter and former ‘kinky boot’ manufacturer Joel Edgerton. Although there was no single Lola Steve Pateman, who has put his experiences into a new in Steve’s life, he says that she was the book. He talked to Will Stone personification all rolled into one of about 15 characters he had met from the orthampton firefighter Steve sourcing heeled boots for men that would transgender community. Pateman, 56, once an entrepre- support their feet and build. The film, in turn, inspired the neur, is the unlikely hero behind With no budget for professional Broadway musical of the same name. It the hit film and musical Kinky models, Steve began modelling his own has music and lyrics by singer, actor and Boots, his true story of trying to stilettos and thigh-high boots, not to LGBT rights activist star Cyndi Lauper, save an ailing family-run shoe mention shaving his rugby player legs. for which it won six Tony awards, factory by branching out into “It took 10 large razors to shave my including best musical, and best score the “kinky” market. legs the first time and I ended up looking for Lauper – the first woman to win that The idea was sparked by a chance like an albino chicken,” Steve recalls. “I category on her own. Ncall from Sue Sheppard, the owner of had to fake tan them as well and learn to Since then, the musical has toured the specialist transgender shop – Lacies walk on the ball of my foot instead of my world including London’s West End, in Folkestone. She was having trouble heel, which is what men are used to. Australia, Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, Poland,

18 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 Finland and the Netherlands. Steve admits that this period was a particularly “bitter pill to swallow” as the film sold the rights, so he didn’t receive a penny for the musical’s success and had no involvement in its development. The producers begrudgingly offered him a pair of tickets to the opening night on Broadway – if he could get himself there. terms “from Barton to Broadway”. anybody else. But now it’s Steve’s turn to tell his story The book, which will retail at £12.50, “I was in my 40s when I applied to with the publication of his book Boss In aims to tell the world and fans of Kinky become a wholetime firefighter and I Boots, which recounts his journey from a Boots how it really happened without remember the fire officer telling me I was factory owner in the Northamptonshire the airbrushing of mainstream film too old. I wanted to prove him wrong.” village of Earls Barton to sparking the and theatre. Steve’s background enabled him to join Kinky Boots empire – in what he aptly However, firefighters will be able to the fire service with an open mind as buy the book for £10 online by quoting well as an acceptance and respect for the the reference FIRE999. For every book trans and LGBTQ community. ‘I WAS IN MY 40s sold in this way, a pound will be donated He said: “The experience certainly to The Fire Fighters Charity. opened up my eyes as, all of a sudden, I The elephant in the room of Steve’s was mixing with people I had not come WHEN I APPLIED TO fascinating story, though, has to be the across before – the trans community. question of how did a factory owner “It taught me that looks count for BECOME A WHOLETIME known for selling kinky boots end up as nothing, it’s all about personality. a firefighter? “Society is full of contradictions. A FIREFIGHTER AND I cross-dresser on the street is called weird, CLAUSTROPHOBIA but cross-dressing in panto is called Steve says he first became a retained family entertainment. REMEMBER THE FIRE firefighter in 2003 to escape the claustro- “It’s down to respect. There’s a danger phobia of “being caged up in an office”. in terminology. If you’ve got to put a OFFICER TELLING ME He became fulltime in 2006 when he label on something you can’t be diverse. closed his business after it was muscled You can’t put a label on anybody. out by bigger businesses that stole the idea “My only regret is that I didn’t get into I WAS TOO OLD. I and were able to source cheaper material kinky boots sooner.” abroad – a story all too familiar to small ■■Boss In Boots was published in WANTED TO PROVE business owners. September. For more information and Steve says: “It was my brand, I created to buy a book with the discount code HIM WRONG’ it and I didn’t want to pass it on to FIRE999 visit www.bossinboots.co.uk OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 19 NOTICEBOARD FIGHTING FIRE AND DEFENDING THE SERVICE WITH WIT, CREATIVITY AND RESILIENCE Fighting Fire, a new book by Sian Moore, Tessa Wright and had a very clear understanding of the wider economic and Phillip Taylor of the Work and Employment Research political framework in which the union has operated over Unit at the University of Greenwich, tells the story the past 30 years and the book conveys their analysis. of the FBU over the past three decades. “What stood out was the resilience of activists It is based on the testimonies of FBU in defending the service and standing up to representatives and members; a management bent on enforcing cuts and control staff, officers, and undermining terms and conditions wholetime and retained fire- of work. fighters from Scotland, Wales, “The book documents the wider Northern Ireland and England. political and international work Their accounts capture the of the union, including lived experience of firefighters in a its lesser known work, for changing environment. A distinctive example, in the Northern feature is the way that the dynamics of Ireland peace process. gender, race, sexuality and class are woven “On a lighter note, the into the narrative. stories from the picket lines are The book shows how, 100 years since important testimony to the wit, its formation in 1918, the FBU continues creativity and exuberance that emerges to be simultaneously part of the fabric of from collective organisation and action and the fire and rescue service and a “politically sustains solidarity.” committed union”. ■■ Fighting Fire: 100 Years of the Fire Brigades Union is This history more or less wrote itself, says Sian Moore. published by New Internationalist on behalf of the FBU “All the firefighter and control staff activists we spoke to and can be bought online at shop.fbu.org.uk NO HARM, AND A LOT OF GOOD, COME FROM UNION LEARNING

The Union Learning Fund (ULF) has another great success on its hands after two of its learners went on to create an inclusive football team for children with special educational needs. Firefighter Dave Naudusevics Leanne, Charlie and completed a level 3 advanced appren- Dave Naudusevics ticeship in personal training while his wife Leanne took part in the “The founding of the football team children improve their game. “Now autism awareness and mental health makes all the study worthwhile,” says that I am a qualified fitness instructor, awareness course. Courses from the Leanne. “It massively contributes I will use my knowledge to help coach ULF are free to access for any FBU to the children’s development. One the team. The opportunities provided member as well as their family. boy used to need to be helped on the by the ULF have really proved a The Leicestershire couple combined pitch during games by his dad but, as catalyst for both Leanne and myself.” the skills they learned on the courses his confidence grew through taking As Leanne says: “No harm can to create the Wigston Foxes, a unique part, he stopped needing that support. come from learning. There is always football team for six to 12-year- His dad can now enjoy the game something new to find out.” olds who cannot join mainstream from the touchline along with the ■■The FBU Union Learning Fund teams – the only one of its kind in other parents.” has launched a new prospectus full Leicestershire. They are affiliated to the Dave, who coaches the team, says of information on free learning Football Association (FA) and play in he is applying the knowledge he gained opportunities. For more information monthly tournaments. on the apprenticeship to help the visit: www.fbueducation.org

20 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 GOSSIP

Students and FABIO TEIXEIRA/DPA/PA IMAGES STATION CAT scientists protested after fire destroyed Brazil’s national CHEAP FIRE museum in Rio de Janeiro – see It couldn’t APPLIANCES happen here

FIRE ENGINES FOR POCKET MONEY News dropped into your Cat’s basket of a school pupil from Norfolk, Lewis Cram, who saved up his pocket money to buy his own fire engine. His family then bought him a second – from the USA. Two thoughts immediately sprang to mind. First, how much pocket money does this lad get? £2,000 over 18

months, he told the BBC. Second, is he just taking advantage of supply and Lewis Cram’s two fire engines at this year’s Cromer festival demand and has he come across a stockpile of surplus- social media output regarding and Rescue Service”. IT COULDN’T to-requirement fire engines Surrey will now come solely Management even and got a good deal because from their service-wide had the audacity to thank HAPPEN HERE … there are so many available. official accounts. firefighters for their previous Sad news of the fire that Then your Cat thought All station-based Facebook efforts in engaging with their has destroyed the national that, maybe, Lewis isn’t so and Twitter accounts have local communities. museum in Rio de Janeiro. astute after all. Back in 2012, been closed and crews are Unsurprisingly, there It started after the museum AssetCo who owned all of being asked to forward have been accusations of had closed for the day and, London and Lincolnshire’s any relevant material for gagging and questions have fortunately, no lives were lost. fire appliances under a inclusion on the official social been raised about Surrey’s Museum officials say that misguided PFI agreement, media pages. firefighters’ freedom of almost 90% of its collection was forced to sell its entire It is probably safe to speech being removed. has been lost. It housed one UK fire appliance fleet for £2. presume that relevant Your Cat cannot help but of the largest anthropo- (The Guardian, 2012) material does not include draw parallels from history. logical and natural history But Lewis is only 13 and, anything relating to the cuts High achieving organisa- collections in the Americas – unlike AssetCo, he seems being inflicted on the brigade tions and civilisations have around 20 million artefacts. It to be hanging on to his by Surrey County Council. done so with powerful included the 12,000-year-old fire engines. Firefighters have been leaders. When leadership is remains of “Luzia”, the advised that any unofficial replaced with repression then oldest human remains ever SECRET page should be marked with these institutions ultimately discovered in Latin America. the following words: fail. We only have Staff blamed the fire SOCIETY “This page does to look at what on years of funding cuts. There has been a fair amount not reflect happened to the In Britain, where we of chat on social media the official Soviet Union or are all in it together, we about Surrey Fire and Rescue views of what is happening would prefer to call them Service’s decision that all Surrey Fire in Trump’s America. “austerity measures”.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | FIREFIGHTER 21 25-YEAR BADGES

Adrian Moyse (l), South Wales Scott Forbes (l), training, Mid/ Mark Aiken (r), Portlethen Gary Zaccarini (l), Merseyside, officers’ branch, receives his East Lothian and Scottish Borders, development centre, Scotland, receives his 25-year badge from 25-year badge from officers’ rep receives his 25-year badge from receives his 25-year badge from brigade chair Ian Hibbert Ian Buckley East area vice-chair Gus Sproul North area organiser Leon Murray

Samuel Gallagher, Patrick McCarroll Darren Rose (l), red watch, Sprowston, Jason Palmer (l), white watch, Sprowston, and Aiden McCarney (l-r) Fintona, Omagh, Norfolk, receives his 25-year badge from Norfolk, receives his 25-year badge from Northern Ireland, receive their 25-year badges brigade chair Alan Jaye with colleagues brigade chair Alan Jaye from regional secretary Stephen Boyd looking on

Tony Callister (r), Barrow, former George Henderson (r), green Jim Taylor (r), red watch, Nick Bryan (r), amber watch, brigade secretary for Cumbria, watch, Kingsway East, Dundee, Kingsway East, Dundee, receives Kingsway East, Dundee, receives receives his 25-year badge from receives his 25-year badge from his 25-year badge from North Area his 25-year badge from North Area brigade organiser Ben Jones North Area secretary Gary Lennie secretary Gary Lennie secretary Gary Lennie

Paul Smith (r), amber watch, Kingsway East Alan Faulds (l), Stirling and Clackmannanshire, Ian Williams (l) red watch, Neath, Mid and Fire, Dundee, receives his 25-year badge from receives his 25-year badge from Alloa branch West Wales, receives his 25-year badge from branch official Stuart Nicoll with colleagues secretary Davie Dawson brigade secretary Barrie Davies with watch looking on members looking on

John Fox (r), white watch, Lee Perry (r), white watch, Chris Cock (r), retained, Ashford, Mark Rollo (r), Yeovil, Devon and Warrington, Cheshire, receives Soho, London, receives his Kent, receives his 25-year badge Somerset, receives his 25-year his 25-year badge from brigade 25-year badge from branch rep from branch rep Malc Harms badge from FBU rep Dave Lock secretary Andrew Fox-Hewitt Darren Cameron

22 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 FBU REGIONAL OFFICES Region 1 Scotland 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, Scotland G1 4AA 0141 221 2309, [email protected] Region 2 N Ireland 14 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, Co Antrim, BT28 1XJ 02892 664622, [email protected] Region 3 Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear 1 Carlton Court, 5th Avenue, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0AZ 0191 487 4142, [email protected]

Fleur Wilks (c), West Sussex, receives her 25-year Erol Mehmet (r), white watch, Kingston, London, Region 4 Yorks and Humberside 9 Marsh Street, Rothwell, badge from brigade organiser Pawel Kosla (l) with receives his 25-year badge from area secretary Leeds, LS26 0AG group manager Stephen Clack Dave Young with colleagues looking on 0113 288 7000, [email protected] Region 5 Greater Manchester, Lancs, Isle of Man, Cumbria, Merseyside, Cheshire The Lighthouse, Lower Mersey St, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 2AL 0151 357 4400, [email protected] Region 6 Derbyshire, Notts, Lincs, Leics, Northants 19-21 Musters Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7PP 07889 056916, [email protected] Region 7 West Mids, Staffs, Warks, Hereford & Worcester, Salop Fraser Whitaker (l), green watch, Burnley, Craig White (l), blue watch, Lancaster, Lancashire, 195/7 Halesowen Rd, Old Hill, Lancashire, receives his 25-year badge from branch receives his 25-year badge from brigade secretary West Midlands, B64 6HE secretary John Rivett with colleagues looking on Kev Wilkie with colleagues looking on 01384 413633, [email protected] Region 8 Mid and West Wales, North Wales, South Wales 2nd floor, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, Cardiff, CF24 0BL 029 2049 6474 Region 9 Herts, Beds, Cambs, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk 28 Atlantic Square, Station Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2TL 01376 521521, [email protected] Region 10 London John Horner Mews, Frome Street, Islington, London, N1 8PB 020 7359 3638, [email protected] Dave Noddle (r), Chorley/USAR, Lancashire, Dave Williams (r), white watch, Blackburn/ receives his 25-year badge from brigade secretary USAR, Lancashire, receives his 25-year badge Region 11 Bucks, Berks, Hants, Oxon, Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, Kev Wilkie with colleagues looking on from brigade secretary Kev Wilkie with colleagues E Sussex, W Sussex looking on Unit 11, Hunns Mere Way, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6AH 01273 309762, [email protected] Region 12 Cornwall, Devon & Somerset, Avon, Gloucs, Wilts, Dorset 158 Muller Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 9RE 0117 935 5132, [email protected] Change of address or next of kin Advise your brigade organiser of any change of address and head office of changes to next of kin or nominations for benefits.

Brendan Higgins, Michael Maguire, Johnny Stef Belsten (r) white watch, Torquay, Devon and FBU freephone Little, John Magee and John Reihill (l-r), Somerset, receives his 25-year badge from branch Lisnaskea, Northern Ireland, receive their rep Scott Atkins legal advice line 25-year badges 0808 100 6061 England, Wales and N Ireland Please send good quality, high resolution digital files or prints to: 0800 089 1331 [email protected] or Scotland Firefighter, FBU, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7AE. The line provides advice for personal injury, family law, wills, conveyancing, For your image to look its best, we need the problems, but cannot perform miracles. personal finance and consumer issues. original, full-resolution image. One lifted from Please include details for each image – full For disciplinary and employment- a website may not do justice to a unique names of everyone who is in it; their station/ related queries contact your local FBU representative. occasion. We do our best with images that are brigade/watch etc; where they are in the picture low resolution, taken directly into a bright light (eg: left to right); their union posts/branch if or suffer from camera-shake, or have other relevant; and where/when it was taken. THIS YEAR THE FIRE BRIGADES UNION IS 100 YEARS OLD LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROUD HISTORY: WWW.FBU.ORG.UK/CENTENARY STRUGGLE SOLIDARITY SERVICE